Job Description

A growing, well-established food manufacturing company is seeking a Director of Operations to lead all aspects of plant operations across multiple Southern California facilities. Reporting directly to executive leadership, the Director of Operations will drive execution of production plans, ensure regulatory and food safety compliance, lead cross-functional teams, and implement continuous improvement initiatives. This position plays a critical role in achieving business objectives while fostering a culture of safety, efficiency, and accountability. This strategic role oversees production, engineering, maintenance, quality, warehousing, shipping/receiving, safety, and regulatory compliance—driving operational excellence, team development, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in manufacturing leadership (5+ in food/CPG/pharma), strong knowledge of food safety systems (GMP, HACCP, BRC/SQF), and a proven track record of achieving performance and cost targets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage all operations functions across multiple manufacturing sites
• Drive performance through KPIs, process improvements, and lean initiatives
• Lead cross-functional teams in production, quality, engineering, and logistics
• Ensure compliance with food safety, OSHA, and environmental standards
• Manage capital projects, budgeting, and cost controls
• Cultivate a strong safety culture and support continuous improvement
• Set and track KPIs, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and operational plans
• Drive operational excellence through process improvements, cost reduction, and efficiency initiatives
• Champion a culture of safety, compliance, and continuous improvement
• Collaborate with supply chain, quality, engineering, and commercial teams to support new product launches and customer fulfillment
• Oversee capital investments, maintenance planning, and operational upgrades
• Manage operational budgets, labor planning, and production schedules
• Maintain compliance with food safety regulations (GMP, HACCP, BRC/SQF), OSHA, and environmental standards
• Build, mentor, and lead high-performing leadership teams across departments

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Food Science, or related field (MBA preferred)
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations
• At least 5 years of experience in the food, beverage, CPG, or pharmaceutical industry
• Deep knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and third-party audit standards (e.g., BRC or SQF)
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing, OEE, and process optimization
• OSHA 30-hour certification required; HACCP certification preferred
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and data-driven decision-making
• Bilingual in English and Spanish highly preferred
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills

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